Saratoga: Awesome Vision turns the tables with Saratoga Sunrise victory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - A slight change of tactics led to change in result as Awesome Vision outkicked Bigger Is Better to win Friday’s $100,000 Saratoga Sunrise Stakes by one length at Saratoga.

The win came 25 days after Bigger Is Bettor defeated Awesome Vision by a head in the $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. said he moved Awesome Vision toward the leaders a little earlier on Friday than he did in the Evan Shipman. That and the fact Awesome Vision changed leads in the stretch - something he didn’t do in the Evan Shipman - made the difference.

“Last time I waited a little longer,” said Ortiz, who won three races on the card. “Today I moved a little early and he still kept running.”

The win was the sixth from 11 starts for Awesome Vision, a 4-year-old son of Awesome Again owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Tom Albertrani.

Awesome Vision covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.99 and returned $5.30 as the 8-5 favorite.

“At the top of the stretch he was right up on the lead turning for home,” Albertrani said. “Once he changed his leads he found another gear.”

Earlier on the card, Albertrani won a $90,000 allowance race with Souper Saver, who rebounded from a fourth-place finish in the Grade3 James Marvin to win by a nose over Say No More.

Souper Speedy, a 4-year-old son of Indian Charlie owned by Live Oak Plantation, covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.24 and returned $4.30.

“Souper Speedy ran great. We took him back off the pace this time,” Albertrani said. “Last time we were a little too close. He had a great stalking position and when it came time he kicked for home and just got up.”